US4930698A - Control apparatus for automobile air-conditioners - Google Patents

Control apparatus for automobile air-conditioners Download PDF

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Publication number
US4930698A
US4930698A US07/361,862 US36186289A US4930698A US 4930698 A US4930698 A US 4930698A US 36186289 A US36186289 A US 36186289A US 4930698 A US4930698 A US 4930698A
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Prior art keywords
temperature
air
vehicle compartment
composite
temperature sensor
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US07/361,862
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Yoriyuki Takekawa
Hidekazu Oshizawa
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Bosch Corp
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Diesel Kiki Co Ltd
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Priority to US07/361,862 priority Critical patent/US4930698A/en
Assigned to DIESEL KIKI CO., LTD., 6-7, SHIBUYA 3-CHOME, SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO, JAPAN reassignment DIESEL KIKI CO., LTD., 6-7, SHIBUYA 3-CHOME, SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO, JAPAN ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: OSHIZAWA, HIDEKAZU, TAKEKAWA, YORIYUKI
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
    • G05D23/00—Control of temperature
    • G05D23/19—Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means
    • G05D23/1902—Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means characterised by the use of a variable reference value
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
    • B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
    • B60H1/00642—Control systems or circuits; Control members or indication devices for heating, cooling or ventilating devices
    • B60H1/00735—Control systems or circuits characterised by their input, i.e. by the detection, measurement or calculation of particular conditions, e.g. signal treatment, dynamic models

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to a so-called "auto-aircon”, i.e. an air conditioner for automobiles, and more particularly to a control apparatus for producing control data based on various control factors for the control of components of the automobile air-conditioner.
  • auto-aircon i.e. an air conditioner for automobiles
  • control apparatus for producing control data based on various control factors for the control of components of the automobile air-conditioner.
  • a conventional system for controlling an air-mix door of an automobile air-conditioner is known as disclosed, for, example, in Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-39334.
  • the known control system includes, as reillustrated here in FIG. 7 of the accompanying drawings, a temperature setter 21 for setting a desired temperature T D , a vehicle compartment temperature sensor 22 for detecting the temperature T R in a vehicle compartment, an outside air temperature sensor 23 for detecting the temperature T A of air outside the vehicle compartment, and a position sensor 24 for detecting the position X P of an air-mix door 12.
  • Pieces of data detected by the respective sensors 21-24 are inputted, as control factors, into an A/D converter 27 which in turn converts the inputted analog signals into digital signals T D , T R , T A and X P .
  • predetermined gains A, B, C and D are added to the respective digital signals T D , T R , T A and X P to thereby obtain A ⁇ T D , B ⁇ T R , C ⁇ T A and D ⁇ X P .
  • the thus obtained B ⁇ T R , C ⁇ T A and D ⁇ X P are added together to obtain a composite parameter K1 according to the following equation.
  • the composite parameter K1 and the A ⁇ T D are used to calculate control data for controlling the operation of the air-mix door 12.
  • the control data is supplied to a control unit or means 100 which control the position of the air-mix door 12 according to the control data.
  • control apparatus for an automobile air-conditioner which is capable of accurately producing optimum control data based on a least number of sets of map data for controlling the operation of the air-conditioner in conformity with the physical sensation of an occupant and is also capable of achieving a fine temperature control of the vehicle compartment.
  • an apparatus for controlling an automobile air-conditioner comprising: a temperature setter for setting a temperature; a vehicle compartment temperature sensor for detecting a temperature in a vehicle compartment; an outside air temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of air outside the vehicle compartment; control means for controlling operation of a component of the air-conditioner based on calculated control data; reference composite parameter memory means for storing composite parameters experimentally obtained with respect to a plurality of representative vehicle compartment temperatures and a plurality of representative outside air temperatures; composite parameter calculation means for calculating composite parameters corresponding to output values from said vehicle compartment temperature sensor and said outside air temperature sensor by interpolating the composite parameters stored in said reference composite parameter memory means based on the output values from said sensors; target discharge air temperature calculation means for calculating a desired temperature of discharge air based on a result of calculation by said composite parameter calculation means and an output value from said temperature setter; and control data calculation means for calculating control data for controlling the component of the air-conditioner, based on a result of calculation by said
  • an apparatus for controlling an automobile air-conditioner comprising: a temperature setter for setting a temperature; a vehicle compartment temperature sensor for detecting a temperature in a vehicle compartment; an outside air temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of air outside the vehicle compartment; control means for controlling operation of a component of the air-conditioner based on calculated control data; reference composite parameter memory means for storing a plurality of sets of data each composed of composite parameters experimentally obtained with respect to one of a plurality of outside temperatures when the vehicle compartment temperature is varied while each outside temperature is kept constant; selection means for selecting a set of data of the composite parameters from said reference composite parameter memory means according to an output value from said outside air temperature sensor; composite parameter calculation means for calculating a composite parameter corresponding to an output value from said vehicle compartment temperature sensor by interpolating the thus-selected set of data of the composite parameters based on the output value from said vehicle compartment temperature sensor; target discharge air temperature calculation means for calculating a desired temperature of discharge air based on a result of
  • composite parameters which correspond to output values from the vehicle compartment temperature sensor and the outside air temperature sensor are obtained by interpolating the experimentally obtained composite parameters stored in the reference composite parameter memory means, the composite parameters obtained with respect to any given values of the vehicle compartment temperature and the outside air temperature are equal to or approximate to the experimentally obtained composite parameters even when a number of map data used is relatively small. As a result, it is possible to obtain an optimum value of the desired discharge air temperature with accuracy which enables formation of control data to realize a fine temperature control corresponding to the bodily or physical sensation of an occupant.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the general construction of a control apparatus for an automobile air-conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the general construction of a control apparatus for an automobile air-conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 3 is a diagrammatical view illustrative of the structural details of the automobile air-conditioner incorporating the control apparatus according to the present invention
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control routine achieved by a microcomputer in the control apparatus for controlling the position of an air-mix door of the air-conditioner;
  • FIG. 5 is an enlarged graphic representation of a control map shown in FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another control routine achieved by the microcomputer for the control of the position of the air-mix door
  • FIG. 7 is a diagrammatical view illustrative of the construction of a conventional control apparatus.
  • FIG. 8 is a graphic representation of performance curves of composite parameters used in the conventional control apparatus.
  • a control apparatus for an automobile air-conditioner generally includes a temperature setter 21 for setting a temperature, a vehicle compartment temperature sensor 22 for detecting a temperature in a vehicle compartment, an outside air temperature sensor 23 for detecting a temperature of air outside the vehicle compartment, control means 100 for controlling operation of a component of the air-conditioner based on calculated control data, reference composite parameter memory means 110 for storing composite parameters experimentally obtained with respect to a plurality of representative vehicle compartment temperatures and a plurality of representative outside air temperatures, composite parameter calculation means 120 for calculating composite parameters corresponding to output values from the vehicle compartment temperature sensor 22 and the outside air temperature sensor 23 by interpolating the composite parameters stored in the reference composite parameter memory means 110 based on the output values from the sensors 22, 23, target discharge air temperature calculation means 130 for calculating a desired temperature of discharge air based on a result of calculation by the composite parameter calculation means 120 and an output value from the temperature setter 21, and control data calculation means 140 for calculating control data for controlling the component of the air
  • FIG. 2 shows a control apparatus for an automobile air-conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • the control apparatus generally includes a temperature setter 21 for setting a temperature, a vehicle compartment temperature sensor 22 for detecting a temperature in a vehicle compartment, an outside air temperature sensor 23 for detecting a temperature of air outside the vehicle compartment, control means 100 for controlling operation of a component of the air-conditioner based on calculated control data, reference composite parameter memory means 150 for storing a plurality of sets of data each composed of composite parameters experimentally obtained with respect to one of a plurality of outside temperatures when the vehicle compartment temperature is varied while each outside temperature is kept constant, selection means 160 for selecting a set of data of the composite parameters from the reference composite parameter memory means 150 according to an output value from the outside air temperature sensor 23, composite parameter calculation means 120 for calculating a composite parameter corresponding to an output value from the vehicle compartment temperature sensor 22 by interpolating the thus-selected set of data of the composite parameters based on the output value from the vehicle compartment temperature sensor 22, target discharge air temperature calculation means 130 for
  • the automobile air-conditioner incorporating the control apparatus includes an air-flow duct 1 having an intake door changeover device 2 at the upstream end thereof.
  • the intake door changeover device 2 includes a selecting door 5 disposed at the junction between a recirculated air inlet 3 and an outside air inlet 4 that are provided in bifurcated fashion.
  • the selecting door 5 is operatively connected to an actuator 6 and driven by the latter to select one of the inlets 3, 4 for allowing the recirculated air or the outside air to be drawn into the duct 1.
  • a blower 7 is disposed in the duct 1 immediately downstream of the changeover device 2 to force the air to flow downstream through the duct 1.
  • the duct 1 also includes the evaporator 8 and a heater core 9 disposed downstream of the blower 7 in the order named.
  • the evaporator 8 is connected in fluid circuit with a compressor 10 and non-illustrated components so as to constitute a refrigeration cycle or system.
  • the compressor 10 includes an electromagnetic clutch 11 for selectively connecting the compressor 10 with an engine, not shown, of a motor vehicle.
  • the electromagnetic clutch 11 is engaged and disengaged to undertake an on-off control of operation of the compressor 10.
  • the heater core 9 serves to heat the air passing therearound by absorbing heat taken up from an engine cooling water recirculating through the heater core 9.
  • An air-mix door 12 is disposed between the evaporator 8 and the heater core 9 and operatively connected to an actuator 13.
  • the position of the air-mix door 12 is regulated by the actuator 13 for adjustably varying the ratio of the amount of air flowing directly through the heater core 9 to the amount of air bypassing the heater core 9, so that the temperature of air to be discharged or blown-off from the duct 1 is controlled at a desired value.
  • the duct 1 has at its downstream end a defroster outlet 14, a vent outlet 15 and a heat outlet 16 that are provided in branched fashion and all open to a vehicle compartment.
  • a mode door 17 is disposed adjacent to the junction between the outlets 15, 16 while a mode door 18 is disposed adjacent to the junction between the outlets 14, 16 to open and close the respective outlets 14-16.
  • the mode doors 17, 18 are drivably connected with a pair of actuators 19, 20 respectively, for selecting a desired discharge mode of the air-conditioner.
  • a position sensor 24 for detecting a position X P of the air-mix door 12
  • a mode sensor 25 disposed on or downstream of the evaporator 8 for detecting a temperature of the evaporator 8 or a temperature T E of air passing through the evaporator 8
  • a sunlit portion temperature sensor 26 for detecting a temperature of a vehicle compartment portion exposed to the incident light of the sun (the radiant heat of the sun.
  • Output signals from the temperature setter 21 and the respective sensors 22-26 are inputted through a multiplexer (MPX) 28 into an A/D converter 27 in the order selected by the multiplexer 28. After having been digitalized by the A/D converter 27, the output signals are supplied to a microcomputer 30.
  • MPX multiplexer
  • the microcomputer 30 is of the conventional type known per se and comprises a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM) and an input/output port (I/O), neither shown.
  • the microcomputer 30 arithmetically processes the input signals stated above to produce control signals and then issues the control signals through respective driver circuits 31a-31e to the actuators 6, 13, 19, 20, the compressor 10 and a motor of the blower 7 for controlling the operation of the respective doors 5, 12, 17, 18, the on-off operation of the compressor 10 and the rotation of the blower motor.
  • microcomputer 30 The operation of the microcomputer 30 will be described below with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 4 in which a control routine for the control of the air-mix door 12 is illustrated.
  • the control routine of the microcomputer 30 starts in a step 50 in accordance with a program stored in the microcomputer 30.
  • various signals T D , T R , T A , X P , T E , etc. are inputted from the temperature setter 21 and the respective sensors 22-16 into the microcomputer 30.
  • a correction parameter X M1 is calculated based on the set temperature T D in accordance with the following equation (1).
  • ⁇ is a gain of the temperature setter 21 and ⁇ is a correction term determined in view of the radiant heat of the sun.
  • a map 70 used in this embodiment is of a three-dimensional structure indicated by a system of coordinates in which a plurality of performance curves of T A are plotted with reference to X M2 on Y-axis and T R on X-axis.
  • the X M2 values have been experimentally obtained based on a correlation between a plurality of representative values of T A and a plurality of representative values of T R .
  • the representative values of T R and T A are preferably selected such that a drastic and non-linear change in X M2 values takes place at each of the predetermined values.
  • the map 70 is used for the determination of an X M2 value (Mx) which is corresponding to a present vehicle compartment temperature T R (represented by Rx) and a present outside air temperature T A (represented by Ax) inputted respectively from the vehicle compartment temperature sensor 22 and the outside air temperature sensor 23, in a manner described below.
  • Mx X M2 value
  • T R present vehicle compartment temperature
  • T A present outside air temperature
  • FIG. 5 two representative points Rn and Rn+1 adjacent to Rx are selected from X-axis where Rn ⁇ Rx ⁇ Rx+1, then an internal ratio (a) of T R is obtained according to the following equation (2). ##EQU1##
  • a desired or target discharge air temperature (X M ) is calculated based on the correction parameter X M1 obtained in the step 54 and the composite parameter X M2 obtained in the step 56, in accordance with the following equation (6).
  • the air-mix door 12 is controlled in a step 60 et seq. until the temperature X R of air being discharged from any of the outlets 14-16, i.e. the actual discharged air temperature X R becomes equal to the thus-calculated target temperature X M .
  • the actual discharged air temperature X R may be obtained by a measurement of the temperature of air discharged from the outlet.
  • values for X R are determined based on a correlation between plurality of representative positions X P of the air-mix door 12 and corresponding output values T E from the mode sensor 25.
  • the map 80 is used in the step 60 in which an X R value corresponding to the given values of X P and T E is obtained from the map 80 in the same manner as done when the X M2 value is obtained.
  • step 62 a control amount for the air-mix door 12 which is necessary to equalize X R and X M is calculated, then a corresponding control signal is issued to the drive circuit 31b for moving the air-mix door 12. Thereafter, the control returns to the step 52.
  • FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control routine achieved in the microcomputer in the control apparatus according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2.
  • a composite parameter X M2 is obtained from a series of maps 90 previously stored in ROM.
  • the maps 90 used in the embodiment comprise a set of maps each prepared with respect to one of a plurality of TA values (A1, A2, A3 . . . ).
  • Each map has a two-dimensional structure indicated by a system of coordinates in which a correlation between the composite parameter X M2 and the positions X P of the air-mix door 12 is plotted with respect to a certain outside air temperature T A .
  • the X M2 values drawn on Y-axis on the coordinates have been experimentally determined with respect to a plurality of representative values of T R drawn on X-axis of the same coordinates.
  • the maps 90 are sorted in a step 64 to choose one map of an outside air temperature which is closest to the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 23. Then, two adjacent sets of map data which are adjacent to the detected vehicle compartment temperature T R are read out and they are interpolated in the same manner as done with the foregoing equations (2) and (4), thereby calculating a composite parameter X M2 in a step 66. Thereafter, the control proceeds to a step 58 et seq. in the same manner as done with the first embodiment described above.
  • the target discharge air temperature is used for the production of control data necessary for controlling the air-mix door 12.
  • the target discharge air temperature may be used for the formation of control data necessary for controlling any one of the selecting door 5, blower 7, compressor 10 and mode doors 17, 18.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Air-Conditioning For Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

A control apparatus for an automobile air-conditioner so constructed as to calculate a target discharge air temperature based on a control parameter determined by the vehicle compartment temperature and the outside air temperature, then control a component of the air-conditioner according to a result of the calculation. The control parameter is obtained by interpolation of experimentally determined reference data with the present vehicle compartment temperature and the present outside air temperature. With this arrangement, a fine temperature control can be achieved.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a so-called "auto-aircon", i.e. an air conditioner for automobiles, and more particularly to a control apparatus for producing control data based on various control factors for the control of components of the automobile air-conditioner.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A conventional system for controlling an air-mix door of an automobile air-conditioner is known as disclosed, for, example, in Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-39334. The known control system includes, as reillustrated here in FIG. 7 of the accompanying drawings, a temperature setter 21 for setting a desired temperature TD, a vehicle compartment temperature sensor 22 for detecting the temperature TR in a vehicle compartment, an outside air temperature sensor 23 for detecting the temperature TA of air outside the vehicle compartment, and a position sensor 24 for detecting the position XP of an air-mix door 12. Pieces of data detected by the respective sensors 21-24 are inputted, as control factors, into an A/D converter 27 which in turn converts the inputted analog signals into digital signals TD, TR, TA and XP. Then, predetermined gains A, B, C and D are added to the respective digital signals TD, TR, TA and XP to thereby obtain A·TD, B·TR, C·TA and D·XP. The thus obtained B·TR, C·TA and D·XP are added together to obtain a composite parameter K1 according to the following equation.
K1=B·T.sub.R +C·T.sub.A +D·X.sub.P +F
where F is a correction coefficient. Thereafter, the composite parameter K1 and the A·TD are used to calculate control data for controlling the operation of the air-mix door 12. The control data is supplied to a control unit or means 100 which control the position of the air-mix door 12 according to the control data.
If the first and second terms of the right member of the above-mentioned equation is substituted by XM2, then XM2 is indicated by the following equation.
X.sub.M2 =B·T.sub.R +C·T.sub.A
When this equation is indicated by a graph whose Y-axis and X-axis are taken with respect to XM2 and TR, respectively, then it is represented by a group of straight lines having a constant gradient B and different intercepts varying with TA, as shown in FIG. 8.
However, an experiment uncovered the fact that optimum composite parameters XM2 obtained based on TR and TA on the basis of the bodily sensation of an occupant are not indicated by a group of straight lines. This means that the control data obtained by the first-mentioned equation is incapable of realizing a fine control of the air-conditioner needed for providing a sense of comfort for the occupant which varies with various temperature conditions of air inside and outside the vehicle compartment.
With the foregoing drawbacks in view, it may be proposed a control system in which various values for XM2 are experimentally obtained by all of the possible values of TR and TA and the thus-obtained XM2 values are stored as map data in a memory device; when a value of TR and a value of TA are inputted, then a corresponding XM2 value is read out from the memory device for controlling operation of the air-conditioner. This control system, however, requires a large number of groups of map data and hence a great memory capacity. If the number of groups of map data were reduced for saving the memory capacity, a corresponding reduction of control accuracy would result.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
With the foregoing difficulties in view, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a control apparatus for an automobile air-conditioner, which is capable of accurately producing optimum control data based on a least number of sets of map data for controlling the operation of the air-conditioner in conformity with the physical sensation of an occupant and is also capable of achieving a fine temperature control of the vehicle compartment.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for controlling an automobile air-conditioner, comprising: a temperature setter for setting a temperature; a vehicle compartment temperature sensor for detecting a temperature in a vehicle compartment; an outside air temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of air outside the vehicle compartment; control means for controlling operation of a component of the air-conditioner based on calculated control data; reference composite parameter memory means for storing composite parameters experimentally obtained with respect to a plurality of representative vehicle compartment temperatures and a plurality of representative outside air temperatures; composite parameter calculation means for calculating composite parameters corresponding to output values from said vehicle compartment temperature sensor and said outside air temperature sensor by interpolating the composite parameters stored in said reference composite parameter memory means based on the output values from said sensors; target discharge air temperature calculation means for calculating a desired temperature of discharge air based on a result of calculation by said composite parameter calculation means and an output value from said temperature setter; and control data calculation means for calculating control data for controlling the component of the air-conditioner, based on a result of calculation by said target discharge air calculation means.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for controlling an automobile air-conditioner, comprising: a temperature setter for setting a temperature; a vehicle compartment temperature sensor for detecting a temperature in a vehicle compartment; an outside air temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of air outside the vehicle compartment; control means for controlling operation of a component of the air-conditioner based on calculated control data; reference composite parameter memory means for storing a plurality of sets of data each composed of composite parameters experimentally obtained with respect to one of a plurality of outside temperatures when the vehicle compartment temperature is varied while each outside temperature is kept constant; selection means for selecting a set of data of the composite parameters from said reference composite parameter memory means according to an output value from said outside air temperature sensor; composite parameter calculation means for calculating a composite parameter corresponding to an output value from said vehicle compartment temperature sensor by interpolating the thus-selected set of data of the composite parameters based on the output value from said vehicle compartment temperature sensor; target discharge air temperature calculation means for calculating a desired temperature of discharge air based on a result of calculation by said composite parameter calculation means and an output value of said temperature setter; and control data calculation means for calculating control data for controlling the component of the air-conditioner, based on a result of calculation by said target discharge air calculation means.
Since composite parameters which correspond to output values from the vehicle compartment temperature sensor and the outside air temperature sensor are obtained by interpolating the experimentally obtained composite parameters stored in the reference composite parameter memory means, the composite parameters obtained with respect to any given values of the vehicle compartment temperature and the outside air temperature are equal to or approximate to the experimentally obtained composite parameters even when a number of map data used is relatively small. As a result, it is possible to obtain an optimum value of the desired discharge air temperature with accuracy which enables formation of control data to realize a fine temperature control corresponding to the bodily or physical sensation of an occupant.
Many other advantages and features of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which preferred structural embodiments incorporating the principles of the present invention are shown by way of illustrative example.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the general construction of a control apparatus for an automobile air-conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the general construction of a control apparatus for an automobile air-conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatical view illustrative of the structural details of the automobile air-conditioner incorporating the control apparatus according to the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control routine achieved by a microcomputer in the control apparatus for controlling the position of an air-mix door of the air-conditioner;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged graphic representation of a control map shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another control routine achieved by the microcomputer for the control of the position of the air-mix door;
FIG. 7 is a diagrammatical view illustrative of the construction of a conventional control apparatus; and
FIG. 8 is a graphic representation of performance curves of composite parameters used in the conventional control apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention will be described herein below in greater detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, a control apparatus for an automobile air-conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention generally includes a temperature setter 21 for setting a temperature, a vehicle compartment temperature sensor 22 for detecting a temperature in a vehicle compartment, an outside air temperature sensor 23 for detecting a temperature of air outside the vehicle compartment, control means 100 for controlling operation of a component of the air-conditioner based on calculated control data, reference composite parameter memory means 110 for storing composite parameters experimentally obtained with respect to a plurality of representative vehicle compartment temperatures and a plurality of representative outside air temperatures, composite parameter calculation means 120 for calculating composite parameters corresponding to output values from the vehicle compartment temperature sensor 22 and the outside air temperature sensor 23 by interpolating the composite parameters stored in the reference composite parameter memory means 110 based on the output values from the sensors 22, 23, target discharge air temperature calculation means 130 for calculating a desired temperature of discharge air based on a result of calculation by the composite parameter calculation means 120 and an output value from the temperature setter 21, and control data calculation means 140 for calculating control data for controlling the component of the air-conditioner, based on a result of calculation by the target discharge air calculation means 130.
FIG. 2 shows a control apparatus for an automobile air-conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The control apparatus generally includes a temperature setter 21 for setting a temperature, a vehicle compartment temperature sensor 22 for detecting a temperature in a vehicle compartment, an outside air temperature sensor 23 for detecting a temperature of air outside the vehicle compartment, control means 100 for controlling operation of a component of the air-conditioner based on calculated control data, reference composite parameter memory means 150 for storing a plurality of sets of data each composed of composite parameters experimentally obtained with respect to one of a plurality of outside temperatures when the vehicle compartment temperature is varied while each outside temperature is kept constant, selection means 160 for selecting a set of data of the composite parameters from the reference composite parameter memory means 150 according to an output value from the outside air temperature sensor 23, composite parameter calculation means 120 for calculating a composite parameter corresponding to an output value from the vehicle compartment temperature sensor 22 by interpolating the thus-selected set of data of the composite parameters based on the output value from the vehicle compartment temperature sensor 22, target discharge air temperature calculation means 130 for calculating a desired temperature of discharge air based on a result of calculation by the composite parameter calculation means 120 and an output value of the temperature setter 21, and control data calculation means 140 for calculating control data for controlling the component of the air-conditioner, based on a result of calculation by the target discharge air calculation means 130.
As shown in FIG. 3, the automobile air-conditioner incorporating the control apparatus includes an air-flow duct 1 having an intake door changeover device 2 at the upstream end thereof. The intake door changeover device 2 includes a selecting door 5 disposed at the junction between a recirculated air inlet 3 and an outside air inlet 4 that are provided in bifurcated fashion. The selecting door 5 is operatively connected to an actuator 6 and driven by the latter to select one of the inlets 3, 4 for allowing the recirculated air or the outside air to be drawn into the duct 1.
A blower 7 is disposed in the duct 1 immediately downstream of the changeover device 2 to force the air to flow downstream through the duct 1. The duct 1 also includes the evaporator 8 and a heater core 9 disposed downstream of the blower 7 in the order named.
The evaporator 8 is connected in fluid circuit with a compressor 10 and non-illustrated components so as to constitute a refrigeration cycle or system. The compressor 10 includes an electromagnetic clutch 11 for selectively connecting the compressor 10 with an engine, not shown, of a motor vehicle. The electromagnetic clutch 11 is engaged and disengaged to undertake an on-off control of operation of the compressor 10. The heater core 9 serves to heat the air passing therearound by absorbing heat taken up from an engine cooling water recirculating through the heater core 9. An air-mix door 12 is disposed between the evaporator 8 and the heater core 9 and operatively connected to an actuator 13. The position of the air-mix door 12 is regulated by the actuator 13 for adjustably varying the ratio of the amount of air flowing directly through the heater core 9 to the amount of air bypassing the heater core 9, so that the temperature of air to be discharged or blown-off from the duct 1 is controlled at a desired value.
The duct 1 has at its downstream end a defroster outlet 14, a vent outlet 15 and a heat outlet 16 that are provided in branched fashion and all open to a vehicle compartment. A mode door 17 is disposed adjacent to the junction between the outlets 15, 16 while a mode door 18 is disposed adjacent to the junction between the outlets 14, 16 to open and close the respective outlets 14-16. The mode doors 17, 18 are drivably connected with a pair of actuators 19, 20 respectively, for selecting a desired discharge mode of the air-conditioner.
In addition to the above-mentioned temperature setter 21 for setting a temperature TD in the vehicle compartment and the above-mentioned sensors, i.e. the vehicle compartment temperature sensor 22 for detecting a temperature TR in the vehicle compartment and the outside air temperature sensor 23 for detecting a temperature TA of air outside the vehicle compartment, there are provided a position sensor 24 for detecting a position XP of the air-mix door 12, a mode sensor 25 disposed on or downstream of the evaporator 8 for detecting a temperature of the evaporator 8 or a temperature TE of air passing through the evaporator 8, and a sunlit portion temperature sensor 26 for detecting a temperature of a vehicle compartment portion exposed to the incident light of the sun (the radiant heat of the sun. Output signals from the temperature setter 21 and the respective sensors 22-26 are inputted through a multiplexer (MPX) 28 into an A/D converter 27 in the order selected by the multiplexer 28. After having been digitalized by the A/D converter 27, the output signals are supplied to a microcomputer 30.
The microcomputer 30 is of the conventional type known per se and comprises a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM) and an input/output port (I/O), neither shown. The microcomputer 30 arithmetically processes the input signals stated above to produce control signals and then issues the control signals through respective driver circuits 31a-31e to the actuators 6, 13, 19, 20, the compressor 10 and a motor of the blower 7 for controlling the operation of the respective doors 5, 12, 17, 18, the on-off operation of the compressor 10 and the rotation of the blower motor.
The operation of the microcomputer 30 will be described below with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 4 in which a control routine for the control of the air-mix door 12 is illustrated.
The control routine of the microcomputer 30 starts in a step 50 in accordance with a program stored in the microcomputer 30. In the next step 52, various signals TD, TR, TA, XP, TE, etc. are inputted from the temperature setter 21 and the respective sensors 22-16 into the microcomputer 30.
Thereafter, the control goes to a step 54 in which a correction parameter XM1 is calculated based on the set temperature TD in accordance with the following equation (1).
X.sub.M1 =α·T.sub.D +β                 (1)
where α is a gain of the temperature setter 21 and β is a correction term determined in view of the radiant heat of the sun.
In the next step 56, by using the vehicle compartment temperature TR and the outside air temperature TA as parameters, reference composite parameter [XM2 =∫(TR, TA)] is read out from predetermined map data stored in the ROM. A map 70 used in this embodiment is of a three-dimensional structure indicated by a system of coordinates in which a plurality of performance curves of TA are plotted with reference to XM2 on Y-axis and TR on X-axis. The XM2 values have been experimentally obtained based on a correlation between a plurality of representative values of TA and a plurality of representative values of TR.
The representative values of TR and TA are preferably selected such that a drastic and non-linear change in XM2 values takes place at each of the predetermined values.
The map 70 is used for the determination of an XM2 value (Mx) which is corresponding to a present vehicle compartment temperature TR (represented by Rx) and a present outside air temperature TA (represented by Ax) inputted respectively from the vehicle compartment temperature sensor 22 and the outside air temperature sensor 23, in a manner described below. As shown in FIG. 5, two representative points Rn and Rn+1 adjacent to Rx are selected from X-axis where Rn<Rx<Rx+1, then an internal ratio (a) of TR is obtained according to the following equation (2). ##EQU1##
Likewise, two representative curves Am, Am+1 adjacent to Ax are selected from performance curves of TA where Am<Ax<Am+1, then an internal ratio (b) of TA is calculated by the following equation (3). ##EQU2##
Then, from the above-mentioned values of Rn, Rn+1, Am and Am+1, four points (r, s, t, u) are plotted from which corresponding four points Mn,m, Mn+1,m, Mn,m+1 and Mn+1,m+1 are plotted on Y-axis indicative of XM2. Each of the difference between the Mn, m value and the Mn+1, m and the difference between the Mn, m+1 value and the Mn+1,m+1 value is multiplied by the internal ratio (a), then interpolated in accordance with the following equations (4), thus obtaining a value (MP) of XM2 corresponding to the point P on the Am curve plotted from Rx and a value (MQ) of XM2 corresponding to the point Q on the Am+1 curve plotted from Rn+1.
M.sub.P =-{(Mn,m-Mn+1,m)a+Mn,m}
M.sub.Q =-{(Mn,m+1-Mn+1, m+1)a+Mn,m+1}                     (4)
Thereafter, the difference between MP and MQ is multiplied by the internal ratio (b) and then interpolated in accordance with the following equation (5), thus obtaining a value (Mx) of the composite parameter MX2.
Mx=-{(M.sub.P -M.sub.Q)b+M.sub.P }                         (5)
In the map 70, pieces of data on TA between two adjacent plotted pints are determined by approximation as indicated by a straight solid line in FIG. 5. However, since each individual plot on the map is experimentally determined, a XM2 value calculated based on the map is nearly equal to the experimentally obtained value. Furthermore, with the use of interpolation, the number of sets of map data is considerably small as opposed to a control system which requires storage of XM2 values corresponding to all of the possible values of TR and TA. Consequently, an accurate processing can be achieved with the use of a small memory capacity.
After the composite parameter XM2 is obtained as stated above, the control proceeds to a step 58 in which a desired or target discharge air temperature (XM) is calculated based on the correction parameter XM1 obtained in the step 54 and the composite parameter XM2 obtained in the step 56, in accordance with the following equation (6).
X.sub.M =X.sub.M1 +X.sub.M2                                (6)
Thereafter, the air-mix door 12 is controlled in a step 60 et seq. until the temperature XR of air being discharged from any of the outlets 14-16, i.e. the actual discharged air temperature XR becomes equal to the thus-calculated target temperature XM.
The actual discharged air temperature XR may be obtained by a measurement of the temperature of air discharged from the outlet. In the illustrated embodiment, values for XR are determined based on a correlation between plurality of representative positions XP of the air-mix door 12 and corresponding output values TE from the mode sensor 25. The XR values thus determined are previously stored in ROM in the form of a map 80 of performance curves indicated by a functional equation XR =g(XP,TE). The map 80 is used in the step 60 in which an XR value corresponding to the given values of XP and TE is obtained from the map 80 in the same manner as done when the XM2 value is obtained. In the next step 62, a control amount for the air-mix door 12 which is necessary to equalize XR and XM is calculated, then a corresponding control signal is issued to the drive circuit 31b for moving the air-mix door 12. Thereafter, the control returns to the step 52.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control routine achieved in the microcomputer in the control apparatus according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, a composite parameter XM2 is obtained from a series of maps 90 previously stored in ROM.
The maps 90 used in the embodiment comprise a set of maps each prepared with respect to one of a plurality of TA values (A1, A2, A3 . . . ). Each map has a two-dimensional structure indicated by a system of coordinates in which a correlation between the composite parameter XM2 and the positions XP of the air-mix door 12 is plotted with respect to a certain outside air temperature TA. The XM2 values drawn on Y-axis on the coordinates have been experimentally determined with respect to a plurality of representative values of TR drawn on X-axis of the same coordinates.
After X1 is determined in a step 54, the maps 90 are sorted in a step 64 to choose one map of an outside air temperature which is closest to the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 23. Then, two adjacent sets of map data which are adjacent to the detected vehicle compartment temperature TR are read out and they are interpolated in the same manner as done with the foregoing equations (2) and (4), thereby calculating a composite parameter XM2 in a step 66. Thereafter, the control proceeds to a step 58 et seq. in the same manner as done with the first embodiment described above.
According to the second embodiment, an interpolation is possible when XM2 is determined based on TR. However, because of stepwise selection of the maps 90, a relatively large number of maps prepared with respect to a closely separated TA values are necessary so as to provide an accurate processing. Consequently, this control system requires a large memory capacity but effectively operate in the same manner as the control system of the first embodiment.
Those steps which correspond to the steps described with reference to the first embodiment are designated by the corresponding reference characters and a detailed description thereof is not necessary.
In both of the illustrated embodiments, the target discharge air temperature is used for the production of control data necessary for controlling the air-mix door 12. The target discharge air temperature may be used for the formation of control data necessary for controlling any one of the selecting door 5, blower 7, compressor 10 and mode doors 17, 18.
Obviously, various modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teaching. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims (2)

What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for controlling an automobile air-conditioner, comprising:
(a) a temperature setter for setting a temperature;
(b) a vehicle compartment temperature sensor for detecting a temperature in a vehicle compartment;
(c) an outside air temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of air outside the vehicle compartment;
(d) control means for controlling operation of a component of the air-conditioner based on calculated control data;
(e) reference composite parameter memory means for storing composite parameters experimentally obtained with respect to a plurality of representative vehicle compartment temperatures and a plurality of representative outside air temperatures;
(f) composite parameter calculation means for calculating composite parameters corresponding to output values from said vehicle compartment temperature sensor and said outside air temperature sensor by interpolating the composite parameters stored in said reference composite parameter memory means based on the output values from said sensors;
(g) target discharge air temperature calculation means for calculating a desired temperature of discharge air based on a result of calculation by said composite parameter calculation means and an output value from said temperature setter; and
(h) control data calculation means for calculating control data for controlling the component of the air-conditioner, based on a result of calculation by said target discharge air calculation means.
2. An apparatus for controlling an automobile air-conditioner, comprising:
(a) a temperature setter for setting a temperature;
(b) a vehicle compartment temperature sensor for detecting a temperature in a vehicle compartment;
(c) an outside air temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of air outside the vehicle compartment;
(d) control means for controlling operation of a component of the air-conditioner based on calculated control data;
(e) reference composite parameter memory means for storing a plurality of sets of data each composed of composite parameters experimentally obtained with respect to one of a plurality of outside temperatures when the vehicle compartment temperature is varied while each outside temperature is kept constant;
(f) selection means for selecting a set of data of the composite parameters from said reference composite parameter memory means according to an output value from said outside air temperature sensor;
(g) composite parameter calculation means for calculating a composite parameter corresponding to an output value from said vehicle compartment temperature sensor by interpolating the thus-selected set of data of the composite parameters based on the output value from said vehicle compartment temperature sensor;
(h) target discharge air temperature calculation means for calculating a desired temperature of discharge air based on a result of calculation by said composite parameter calculation means and an output value of said temperature setter; and
(i) control data calculation means for calculating control data for controlling the component of the air-conditioner, based on a result of calculation by said target discharge air calculation means.
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US5293755A (en) * 1992-12-09 1994-03-15 Thomas Charles V Air conditioning load management control system
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EP0757943A2 (en) * 1995-08-09 1997-02-12 Adam Opel Ag Method of regulating the temperature inside a motor vehicle
EP0820886A2 (en) * 1996-07-24 1998-01-28 Calsonic Corporation Air mix controller of automobile air conditioner
FR2755261A1 (en) * 1996-10-29 1998-04-30 Valeo Climatisation Simplified user control of temperature inside vehicle cabin
EP1044834A1 (en) * 1999-04-13 2000-10-18 GKR Gesellschaft für Fahrzeugklimaregelung mbH Method for controlling the internal temperature of a motor car with an heating and air conditioning installation
US6220517B1 (en) * 1998-04-22 2001-04-24 Denso Corporation Air-conditioning device
EP1132225A1 (en) * 2000-03-07 2001-09-12 Valeo Electronique Improved regulation of temperature, speed and distribution of ventilated air in a vehicle passenger compartment
WO2003004291A1 (en) * 2001-07-04 2003-01-16 Denso Thermal Systems S.P.A. A climate control system for the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle
US20120266619A1 (en) * 2011-04-21 2012-10-25 Bradley Douglas Shaw Cooling system for use in an appliance and method of assembling same
US20140180483A1 (en) * 2012-12-20 2014-06-26 Automotive Research & Testing Center Intelligent thermostatic control method and device for an air conditioner blowing cold and hot air
CN103940162A (en) * 2013-01-21 2014-07-23 福特环球技术公司 Vehicle evaporator core icing prevention
US20140216705A1 (en) * 2013-02-05 2014-08-07 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Coolest a/c discharge temperature for all operating conditions

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Cited By (28)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5603226A (en) * 1991-07-10 1997-02-18 Naldec Corporation Method and apparatus for controlling vehicle air conditioner
EP0522561A3 (en) * 1991-07-10 1994-03-23 Naldec Kk
US5400963A (en) * 1991-07-10 1995-03-28 Naldec Corporation Method and apparatus for controlling vehicle air conditioner
EP0522561A2 (en) * 1991-07-10 1993-01-13 Naldec Corporation Method and apparatus for controlling vehicle air conditioner
US5518065A (en) * 1992-07-10 1996-05-21 Mazda Motor Corporation Control method of vehicle air-conditioning apparatus
US5293755A (en) * 1992-12-09 1994-03-15 Thomas Charles V Air conditioning load management control system
EP0757943A3 (en) * 1995-08-09 1998-11-25 Adam Opel Ag Method of regulating the temperature inside a motor vehicle
EP0757943A2 (en) * 1995-08-09 1997-02-12 Adam Opel Ag Method of regulating the temperature inside a motor vehicle
US5904293A (en) * 1996-07-24 1999-05-18 Calsonic Corporation Air mix controller of automobile air conditioner
EP0820886A2 (en) * 1996-07-24 1998-01-28 Calsonic Corporation Air mix controller of automobile air conditioner
EP0820886A3 (en) * 1996-07-24 2000-03-08 Calsonic Corporation Air mix controller of automobile air conditioner
FR2755261A1 (en) * 1996-10-29 1998-04-30 Valeo Climatisation Simplified user control of temperature inside vehicle cabin
US6390380B2 (en) 1998-04-22 2002-05-21 Denso Corporation Air-conditioning device
US6220517B1 (en) * 1998-04-22 2001-04-24 Denso Corporation Air-conditioning device
EP1044834A1 (en) * 1999-04-13 2000-10-18 GKR Gesellschaft für Fahrzeugklimaregelung mbH Method for controlling the internal temperature of a motor car with an heating and air conditioning installation
EP1132225A1 (en) * 2000-03-07 2001-09-12 Valeo Electronique Improved regulation of temperature, speed and distribution of ventilated air in a vehicle passenger compartment
FR2806036A1 (en) * 2000-03-07 2001-09-14 Valeo Electronique IMPROVED REGULATION OF TEMPERATURE, SPEED AND DISTRIBUTION OF VENTILATED AIR IN A MOTOR VEHICLE INTERIOR
US6892808B2 (en) 2000-03-07 2005-05-17 Valeo Electronique Regulation of the temperature, the speed and the distribution of the air blown into a motor-vehicle passenger compartment
WO2003004291A1 (en) * 2001-07-04 2003-01-16 Denso Thermal Systems S.P.A. A climate control system for the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle
US20120266619A1 (en) * 2011-04-21 2012-10-25 Bradley Douglas Shaw Cooling system for use in an appliance and method of assembling same
US20140180483A1 (en) * 2012-12-20 2014-06-26 Automotive Research & Testing Center Intelligent thermostatic control method and device for an air conditioner blowing cold and hot air
US9417638B2 (en) * 2012-12-20 2016-08-16 Automotive Research & Testing Center Intelligent thermostatic control method and device for an air conditioner blowing cold and hot air
CN103940162A (en) * 2013-01-21 2014-07-23 福特环球技术公司 Vehicle evaporator core icing prevention
US20140202185A1 (en) * 2013-01-21 2014-07-24 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Vehicle evaporator core icing prevention
US9182166B2 (en) * 2013-01-21 2015-11-10 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Vehicle evaporator core icing prevention
CN103940162B (en) * 2013-01-21 2018-03-16 福特环球技术公司 The prevention that vehicle evaporator core freezes
US20140216705A1 (en) * 2013-02-05 2014-08-07 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Coolest a/c discharge temperature for all operating conditions
US9796243B2 (en) * 2013-02-05 2017-10-24 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Coolest A/C discharge temperature for all operating conditions

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